Princeton Theological Seminary

Seminary Chapel Scripture: Mark 5:25-34 A woman in need of healing interrupts Jesus as he is on his way to heal the daughter of Jairus who is a ruler of the synagogue. A great crowd was following Jesus to see him heal the ruler’s daughter who is “at the point of death.” But Jesus refuses to hurry, and stops the parade to deal with the concerns of a woman with a chronic condition. Jesus never hurries. That frustrates us when we are anxious, like Jairus and the crowd. But it is the hope of those lost in the crowd.

January 31, 2022 | Seminary Chapel Sermon: "The Integrity of Gethsemane" Scripture reading: Matthew 26: 38-39 Dr. Jay-Paul M. Hinds reflects on integrity, wholeness, and the human struggle of giving up our will to serve God’s will in the opening communion service for the 2022 spring semester. Preacher: Dr. Jay-Paul M. Hinds, assistant professor of pastoral theology

January 24, 2022 | Mental Health and Asian Americans: Contexts and Strategies for Faith Leaders Workshop: "Active Listening Skills for Congregational Change" In this workshop, attendees learn how to put in practice active listening skills that will allow them to be empathetic change-makers. These practical listening skills will allow ministry leaders to effect change within their congregations. Speaker: Dr. Samuel Kim, assistant professor of school psychology, University of Denver The newly expanded Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary comes at a critical time in the life of Asian America. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial-ethnic demographic in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the persistence of anti-Asian racism. Moreover, minority and immigrant churches are poised to transform the face of Christianity in the United States in the next few decades. The Center for Asian American Christianity seeks to equip and empower the next generation

January 24, 2022 | Mental Health and Asian Americans: Contexts and Strategies for Faith Leaders Workshop: "Mental Health And Spirituality Know The Difference And Help Accordingly" Rev. Dr. Lee's workshop is designed to help church leaders better discern and process common psychological and relational challenges they may face in the church. We discuss how to distinguish between mental health and spiritually related problems and learn how to increase collaboration with local Christian mental health professionals when appropriate. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jin Lee, private practitioner, The Living Counsel Ltd.; vice president, Korean American Wellness Association The newly expanded Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary comes at a critical time in the life of Asian America. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial-ethnic demographic in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the persistence of anti-Asian racism. Moreover, minority and immigrant churches are pois

January 24, 2022 | Mental Health and Asian Americans: Contexts and Strategies for Faith Leaders Workshop: "Pastoring a Congregation of Whole People, Not Perfect People" Asian American Christians can struggle with the experience of not feeling good enough. They perceive a gap between where they ideally ought to be and where they actually are. Across their personal, professional, and even spiritual lives, there is a tendency to expect perfection yet fall short of it. In turn, we might present ourselves as perfect, never offering ourselves the opportunity for care and healing. Although setting standards for ourselves is healthy, we are burdened when we feel like we constantly fall short of them. Dr. Jin’s workshop equips church leaders to support Asian American Christians in becoming more whole people, not perfect people. We learn about different types of perfectionism and how this applies to Asian American Christians. We discuss practical strategies from the pulpit to pastoral counseling. Speaker: Dr. Joel J

January 24, 2022 | Mental Health and Asian Americans Contexts and Strategies for Faith Leaders Plenary Lecture: "Stop AAPI Hate and Racial Trauma" Dr. Jeung’s talk discusses the collective racial trauma that our communities are facing during COVID-19, its historic precedence, and indigenous approaches toward healing. Speaker: Dr. Russell Jeung, professor of Asian American studies, San Francisco State University The newly expanded Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary comes at a critical time in the life of Asian America. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial-ethnic demographic in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the persistence of anti-Asian racism. Moreover, minority and immigrant churches are poised to transform the face of Christianity in the United States in the next few decades. The Center for Asian American Christianity seeks to equip and empower the next generation of Asian American leaders for service in church, society, and academy.

January 24, 2022 | Mental Health and Asian Americans: Contexts and Strategies for Faith Leaders The newly expanded Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary comes at a critical time in the life of Asian America. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial-ethnic demographic in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the persistence of anti-Asian racism. Moreover, minority and immigrant churches are poised to transform the face of Christianity in the United States in the next few decades. The Center for Asian American Christianity seeks to equip and empower the next generation of Asian American leaders for service in church, society, and academy. Speaker: Dr. David Chao, director, Center for Asian American Christianity Learn more about the Center for Asian American Christianity at https://www.ptsem.edu/academics/center-for-asian-american-christianity. To view the conference blog, visit https://ltiaa.com/blog/.

January 24, 2022 | Mental Health and Asian Americans: Contexts and Strategies for Faith Leaders Workshop: "Growing Together: Cultivating Healthy Communities Through Conflict Resolution" Conflict can be a healthy and essential part of community growth, but it takes time, training, and practice to handle conflict in ways that help deepen interpersonal empathy and understanding. Particularly during the pandemic when stress levels are high, divisions are rampant, and emotional coping skills are strained, conflicts can have a huge impact on our mental health and quality of life. In this workshop, Rev. Dr. Eunbee Ham draws on her training as a Marriage and Family Therapist and pastoral experience navigating conflict from an antiracist lens to help participants identify successful conflict resolution tools and skills, cultivate antiracist values intentionally in conflict resolution processes, and practice ways to utilize conflict resolution skills in real life situations. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Eunbee Ham, pastor, Dav

Miller Chapel Scripture: Luke 15:25-32 … we had to celebrate and rejoice The parable ends with an invitation for the elder brother to join in the celebration and joy, but we don’t know if he finally chose to repent of his sense of righteous anger and do that. So, it is left to the current, self-righteous, elder siblings to complete the story. Ironically, we pride ourselves on the carefulness of our choices, but in in the end the only choice that matters is entering into the joyful fellowship that is built only upon God’s choice to be merciful.

December 8, 2021 | Miller Chapel The Carols of Many Nations service includes readings, choral anthems, and congregational carols led by the Princeton Seminary Choir and international students and staff of the Seminary. Text for readings and songs in other languages can be found in the Carols of Many Nations program. Visit ptsem.edu/carolsprogram to view the program.

October 26, 2021 | The 2021 Students’ Lecture on Missions series Lecture series: “Fully Into the Present: Inventory, Metamorphosis, and Emergenc(i)es.” Lecture three: “Emergencies” Lecturer: Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of worship, Union Theological Seminary

October 26, 2021 | The 2021 Students’ Lecture on Missions series Lecture series: “Fully Into the Present: Inventory, Metamorphosis, and Emergenc(i)es.” Lecture two: “Metamorphosis” Lecturer: Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of worship, Union Theological Seminary

October 25, 2021 | The 2021 Students’ Lecture on Missions series Lecture series: “Fully Into the Present: Inventory, Metamorphosis, and Emergenc(i)es.” Lecture one: "Inventory" Lecturer: Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of worship, Union Theological Seminary

Miller Chapel Scripture: Luke 15:25-32 … you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours The Apostle Paul said we have already received every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. But we keep trying to earn a blessing, which can only be given. If there is a measure to spirituality, it is gratitude because only the grateful are paying attention to the two-handed giving of God. And only those who know they are blessed can be a blessing.

Miller Chapel Scripture: Luke 15:25-32 … I have worked for you like a slave We try to save ourselves with hard work and responsible choices, but that enslaves us to being our own taskmasters. And we are merciless taskmasters. There is no justice in the father’s mercy to the prodigal, which makes the elder brother a little crazy. But devoting your life to getting what you deserve only leads to anxiety. And that is why the righteous also need salvation.

Miller Chapel Scripture: Luke 15:25-32 Now his elder son was in the field… In the church, the elder siblings are those who are hardworking, careful to follow the rules, and who never ran away from God. So the “I once was lost, but now am found” message is a stretch for them. But the point of the parable is not be the one who was right and careful. The point is to get into the outstretched arms of the parent and enter the celebration.

October 14, 2021 | Inaugural Lecture Lecture: “Jesus and Dogs, or How to Command a Friend” Lecturer: Dr. John Bowlin, Robert L. Stuart Professor of Philosophy and Christian Ethics, Princeton Theological Seminary

October 13, 2021 | Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library Dedication Service Keynote Remarks Speaker: Dr. Lisa Bowens, associate professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary

Miller Chapel Scripture: Numbers 35: 9-15 … you shall select cities to be cities of refuge. Before the Hebrews crossed the Jordan River, the Lord told them to select six cities that will be places of refuge for fugitives who are on the run. Christian community is also called to be a place of refuge for those who are on the run. And we are all running all the time. But community invites us to rest in safety.

Miller Chapel Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6, 13-20 The rabble were on the journey with the Hebrews through the wilderness, but they didn’t believe in the journey, the leadership, or the dream of a Promised Land. That’s because they also didn’t believe in God. So their tolerance for hardship was low and their capacity for complaint was high. But the most dangerous rabble are the voices of disbelief within our own hearts.